Hello everybody. Last year I fixed my CECHC04 which was giving RLOD error in some difficult games (like GT6 and TLOU) with NEC/TOKIN replacement.(You can find my old posts on page 224.)
It still works fine, and I recently finished TLOU completely with it.
I have successfully completed a new repair this week.
I bought a CECHK04 PS3 (Original OFW) with the YLOD error (that has never been opened before) last January. It was shutting down within 7 seconds after pressing the start button.
My goal was to fix it with NEC/TOKIN replacement, and I succeeded.
I learned a lot of new information while repairing it and I will share it with you.
Unfortunately, I couldn't read the error codes before repairing because I don't have a USB-TTL device at hand. After repairing, I upgraded my PS3 from 4.86 OFW to 4.90 CFW using PS3Xploit Flash Writer. (Actually, I was waiting to upgrade PS3 to CFW to share this post. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the making of the flash writer.)
Here are the Ps3's error codes:
FFFFFFFF and A0801002
(Note that I don't know these codes before I fix it.)
(I have attached the error code text)
The Repair Process:
When I opened it (I opened it for the first time) I found that it was clean (although it hasn't been cleaned since 2008!).
I cleaned all the other parts one by one.
Then I plugged the hard disk into the computer and checked the usage time with the HDD SENTINEL program. (To find out the usage time without looking at Syscon.)
I was very surprised because the console was used little before it broke down. (Total of 96 days) (My previous Ps3 had been used for about 230 days.)
I think this is the reason why the console is clean inside.
But why did the console malfunction even though it was used little? You might say RSX, but not exactly!
I think the problem is both NEC/TOKIN and RSX. Because I discovered something while removing the NEC/TOKINs from the motherboard.
RSX's NEC/TOKINs were looked like burned. Cell's NEC/TOKINs were in better condition. (I actually noticed this on my previous repair as well. When I looked at the last posts in the thread, I saw that other people noticed as well.)
According to the error codes, Cell's NEC/TOKINs were fine.
I don't know why but RSX breaks NEC/TOKINs faster than Cell.
Specifically, I disassembled NEC/TOKINs without using hot air. Because I didn't want to heat up the RSX and fake fix it. I used my own delid and cap removal tools. And again, I replaced the tantalum capacitors without using hot air. (I just used a 80W soldering iron). I used 16 piece 2.5v 470uf tantalum capacitors for the repair. (I bought them from AliExpress.)
I forgot to take pictures after soldering the capacitors. I can share later.
After that, I put everything back together and it worked!
For testing, I played 4 games that caused my old console to give an RLOD error.
Heavenly Sword (With 4.86 OFW)
Journey (With 4.90 OC CFW)
Bioshock Infinite (With 4.90 OC CFW)
The Last of Us (With 4.90 OC CFW)
I did not have any problems while playing the games.
The only problem now is when I open the fps counter with webman, the ps3 freezes and shuts down. I've seen a few other people experience this before. I think it's a software problem.
In conclusion, I still think the NEC/TOKIN replacement is a good fix for FAT models with 65nm RSX. (CECH-J,K,L,M,P,Q)
My next goal is to try to repair a CECH-20XX model SLIM PS3.
Now I want some advice from you. Do you think I should delid CELL and RSX? Temperatures look good, maybe even better. I remember
@RIP-Felix saying that after deliding RSX, thermal adhesive should be used.(due to BGA errors) That's why I wanted to ask. Thank you for reading.
